Umbrella

ABSTRACT

An umbrella having a frame with two covers mounted thereon in superimposed relation, with the respective covers having their peripheral edges attached to the ends of alternate ones only of the ribs of the frame.

United States Patent Inventors Teddy Coln V azquez Alice Coln, Lomas Verdes, Bayamon, PR. Appl. No. 836,881 Filed June 26, 1969 Patented Jan. 26, 1971 Assignee Universal Umbrella Mfg., Inc.

a corporation of Puerto Rico UMBRELLA 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 1.35/20, 135/33,135/34 lnt. Cl A45b 11/00, A45b 15/00, A451) 25/18 Field of Search 135/16, 20,

33A, 34, 46M, 46T

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Marqua Grey Riley DAndrea.. Edelkind Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun AttorneyBeveridge and De Grandi ABSTRACT: An umbrella having a frame with two covers mounted thereon in superimposed relation, with the respective covers having their peripheral edgessattached to the ends of alternate ones only of the ribs of the frame.

PATENIEU M26191. V

SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTORS. TEDDY COLON VAZOUEZ ALICE COLON amid, fi QML- ATTORNEYS.

UMBRELLA This invention relates to umbrellas, or parasols, and more specifically to an improved umbrella construction employing a cover formed of two independent cover elements mounted on a single frame.

Conventional umbrella construction employs a cover element made up of a number of individual cloth panels sewn together along radial lines generally overlying the ribs of the umbrella frame, with the outer periphery of the cover being substantially straight or slightly scalloped between these seams. This construction is necessarily relatively expensive because of the cost of production, and is undesirable in that the needle holes through the cover material permit substantial filtration of water in a heavy rain.

To overcome some of the deficiencies of the prior art umbrellas, it has been proposed to provide an auxiliary cover for the main cover of the umbrella. Such auxiliary covers are intended to act both as a protective shield for the main cover element, and as added protection for the user against the elements. Such protective covers have not been entirely satisfactory, however, in that it has generally been necessary to stitch or otherwise attach them directly to the existing cover, thereby impairing the appearance and posing a hazard to the primary cover. Further, the cost of the production of the main cover is in no way reduced by the addition of the auxiliary cover.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella of simplified construction which employs a cover formed of two separate elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an umbrella employing a cover which is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and manufacture.

Another object is to provide an umbrella in which the cover is made up of two identically shaped, flat cover elements mounted in s perimposed relation on a simple umbrella frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an umbrella in which the two cover elements are relatively rotatable with respect to one another.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an umbrella according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, on a slightly enlarged scale, of the umbrella shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view, partially in section, of the umbrella shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the two cover elements shown in relatively different positions;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it is seen that the umbrella according to the present invention includes a central shaft element 10 having a handle 11 on its lower end and a fixed flanged collar 12 rigidly mounted adjacent its upper end. A conventional flanged sleeve 13 is slidably mounted on the central portion of the shaft, and a pair of spring latch elements l4, 15 are provided to engage the sliding sleeve 13 to retain the umbrella in the raised or lowered position in the conventional manner.

The sleeve 13 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending slots 16 formed in the flange portion thereof, and eight elongated rib brace elements 17 each have one end positioned within one of the slots 16 and pivotally secured therein by a length of hardened steel wire 18 extending around the sleeve within a groove beneath the top flange portion thereof as best seen in FIG. 7. Each of the rib braces 17 has an opening 19 formed therein through which the wire 18 extends to pivotally support the respective n'b braces 17 of the sleeve l3.

Eight elongated, resilient metal rib members have their inner ends pivotally connected to the fixed collar 12 by a length of hardened steel wire 21 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the inner ends of the rib braces 17. The outer ends of the respective rib braces are pivotally connected by a suitable pin member 22, one to each of the rib members 20 at a point intermediate the ends thereof in a conventional manner.

Thus far described, the umbrella frame is of conventional construction. However, one important difference does exist in the construction of the frame, which difference is most clearly seen from FIG. 6 of the drawings. Thus, it is seen that the radial notches 16 which receive the inner ends of the rib braces 17 are substantially V-shaped in plan view to permit limited pivotal movement of the rib braces around the axes of the shaft 10. A similar construction is employed in the fixed collar 12 so that the ribs 20 are permitted similar pivotal movement about the axis of the shaft 10. As illustrated in phantom line in FIG. 6 and in full line in FIG. 4, the extent of the permissible movement about the axis of shaft 10 is sufficient to permit adjacent n'b braces and their associated ribs to be moved into substantially parallel, side-by-side relation with respect to one another.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1 through 4, it is seen that the umbrella cover structure, indicated generally by the reference numeral 25, is made up of a top, or outer cover element 26 and an identical, inner cover element 27v The two cover elements 26, 27 are square, plane, unitary sheets of fabric or other suitable material, and each has a rib tip eyelet 28 secured thereto at each corner thereof for mounting the cover to the ends of the ribs in the conventional manner. Each of the cover elements 26, 27 has a central aperture formed therein for receiving the protruding end 30 of shaft 10.

To mount the cover on the umbrella, the inner cover element 27 is first positioned on the frame with its central aperture extending over shaft end 30, and the rib ends 28 are telescoped onto alternate ones only of the ribs 20. Next, the outer cover element 26 is positioned on the frame in superimposed relation to the cover element 27, and with its central aperture extending over shaft end 30. Cover element 26 is oriented 45 from cover element 27 and the corners thereof are then attached to the ends of the remaining rib elements 20. If desired, a retaining cap 31 may be positioned on the shaft end 30 to overlie and protect the central apertures of the cover elements 26, 27; however, this cap 31 preferably should not fit so tightly as to prevent relative rotational movement of the two cover elements around the shaft end 31.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two cover elements 26, 27 when oriented 45 with respect to one another, provide an umbrella cover having a substantially eight-point star configuration in plan view resulting in substantially the same area of coverage as would be provided by a conventional eight-panel cover element with the customary scalloped edges. However, the two flat cover elements provide the added protection of a double layer or cover throughout the principal area of the umbrella and further adds the advantage of not having needle holes to permit rain filtration.

As seen in FIG. 4, the umbrella of the present invention has the added advantage that its shape can be substantially altered to materially modify the overall size, shape, and appearance of the umbrella, simply by grasping two adjacent ribs and rotating the outer and inner cover elements with respect to one another when the umbrella is in the raised position. To return the umbrella to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3, the ribs may either be grasped and rotated in the manner described, or the umbrella may be lowered and raised in which case it will return to the normal position of FIGS. 1-3.

While the umbrella has been illustrated herein as having eight ribs to mount the four corners of each of two square cover elements, it is believed apparent that any even number of ribs may be employed to accommodate the desired shape of cover panels. For example, the cover panels could be made in the form of equilateral triangles, in which case 6 ribs would be employed, with the corners of the respective inner and outer cover elements again being supported on alternate ones only of the ribs. Similarly, a greater number of ribs would be employed for other geometric shapes, but in every case where similar geometric shapes are employed for the two cover elements, an even number of ribs will be required.

It is also contemplated, primarily for use in parasols, that the two cover elements may have their side edges slightly rounded, or even be circular in shape, in which case the excess material outboard ofa cord line between alternate support ribs will drape and form a slightly ruffled fringe around the edge of the umbrella. This construction is also contemplated for large beach umbrellas and the like, although it is understood that the basic construction is essentially the same as that described above with regard to the square or triangular shaped cover elements.

While we have disclosed a preferred embodiment of our in' vention, we wish it understood that we do not intend to be restricted solely thereto, but that we do intend to include all embodiments thereof which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

1. in an umbrella having a frame including a central shaft, a fixed flanged collar mounted adjacent one end of said shaft, a plurality of elongated resilient metal ribs each having one end pivotally supported on said fixed collar and a free end, a flanged sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of elongated rib braces having one end pivotally supported on said flanged sleeve and their other end pivotally connected one to each of said ribs at points intermediate the ends thereof, and an umbrella cover mounted on said frame, the improvement wherein said cover comprises a first cover member having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft, rib tip means on said first cover member for attaching the free end of alternate ones only of said ribs to said first cover member adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at substantially equally spaced points therearound, and a second cover member mounted in superimposed contacting relation with said first cover member, said second cover member having a central aperture therein disposed over said .one end of said shaft, and rib tip means on said second cover member for attaching the free ends of the remaining ones of said ribs to said second cover member adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at substantially equally spaced points therearound.

2. The umbrella as defined in claim 1 further comprising means supporting said first and said second cover members for limited rotation relative to one another around the axis of said shaft.

3. The umbrella as defined in claim 1 wherein said means, supporting said cover members for limited relative rotation comprising means supporting each of said ribs for limited pivotal movement around said shaft whereby said first and said second cover members may be rotated relative to one another within the limits of movement of said ribs around said shaft.

4. ln an umbrella as defined in claim 1, the further improvement wherein said first and said second cover members are of similar, one piece, plane geometric configuration.

S. in an umbrella as defined in claim 2, the further improvement wherein said first and said second cover members are substantially square.

6. in an umbrella as defined in claim 3, the further improvement wherein said rib tip means on said first and said second cover members comprise a rib tip element attached at each corner of each of said substantially square cover members, whereby said umbrella cover has a substantially eight-point star configuration in plan view resulting from said first cover member having its respective comers mounted on the free ends of alternate ones of said ribs and said second cover member having its respective corners mounted on the free ends of the remaining ribs.

7. in an umbrella as defined in claim 4, the further improvement comprising means supporting said first and said second cover members for limited rotation relative to one another whereby the plan view of said umbrella cover may be altered selectively to a substantially square configuration,

8. An umbrella comprising a central shaft, 21 fixed flanged collar mounted adjacent one end of said shaft, a plurality of elongated resilient metal ribs each having one end pivotally supported on said fixed collar and a free end, a flanged sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of elongated rib braces having one end pivotally supported on said flanged sleeve and their other end pivotally connected one to each of said ribs at points intermediate the ends thereof, a first unitary, unseamed, normally plane fabric cover element having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft, rib end means attaching the free end of alternate ones only of said ribs to said first cover element adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at equally spaced points therearound, a second unitary, unseamed, normally plane fabric cover element having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft and supported in superimposed contacting relation to said first cover element, and rib end attaching the free ends of the remaining ones of said ribs to said second cover element adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at equally spaced points therearound.

9. The umbrella as defined in claim 8, further comprising means supporting said ribs and said rib braces for limited pivotal movement around said shaft whereby said first and said second cover elements are supported for limited rotation relative to one another around the axis of said shaft. 

1. In an umbrella having a frame including a central shaft, a fixed flanged collar mounted adjacent one end of said shaft, a plurality of elongated resilient metal ribs each having one end pivotally supported on said fixed collar and a free end, a flanged sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of elongated rib braces having one end pivotally supported on said flanged sleeve and their other end pivotally connected one to each of said ribs at points intermediate the ends thereof, and an umbrella cover mounted on said frame, the improvement wherein said cover comprises a first cover member having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft, rib tip means on said first cover member for attaching the free end of alternate ones only of said ribs to said first cover member adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at substantially equally spaced points therearound, and a second cover member mounted in superimposed contacting relation with said first cover member, said second cover member having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft, and rib tip means on said second cover member for attaching the free ends of the remaining ones of said ribs to said second cover member adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at substantially equally spaced points therearound.
 2. The umbrella as defined in claim 1 further comprising means supporting said first and said second cover members for limited rotation relative to one another around the axis of said shaft.
 3. The umbrella as defined in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said cover members for limited relative rotation comprising means supporTing each of said ribs for limited pivotal movement around said shaft whereby said first and said second cover members may be rotated relative to one another within the limits of movement of said ribs around said shaft.
 4. In an umbrella as defined in claim 1, the further improvement wherein said first and said second cover members are of similar, one piece, plane geometric configuration.
 5. In an umbrella as defined in claim 2, the further improvement wherein said first and said second cover members are substantially square.
 6. In an umbrella as defined in claim 3, the further improvement wherein said rib tip means on said first and said second cover members comprise a rib tip element attached at each corner of each of said substantially square cover members, whereby said umbrella cover has a substantially eight-point star configuration in plan view resulting from said first cover member having its respective corners mounted on the free ends of alternate ones of said ribs and said second cover member having its respective corners mounted on the free ends of the remaining ribs.
 7. In an umbrella as defined in claim 4, the further improvement comprising means supporting said first and said second cover members for limited rotation relative to one another whereby the plan view of said umbrella cover may be altered selectively to a substantially square configuration.
 8. An umbrella comprising a central shaft, a fixed flanged collar mounted adjacent one end of said shaft, a plurality of elongated resilient metal ribs each having one end pivotally supported on said fixed collar and a free end, a flanged sleeve slidably mounted on said shaft, a plurality of elongated rib braces having one end pivotally supported on said flanged sleeve and their other end pivotally connected one to each of said ribs at points intermediate the ends thereof, a first unitary, unseamed, normally plane fabric cover element having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft, rib end means attaching the free end of alternate ones only of said ribs to said first cover element adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at equally spaced points therearound, a second unitary, unseamed, normally plane fabric cover element having a central aperture therein disposed over said one end of said shaft and supported in superimposed contacting relation to said first cover element, and rib end attaching the free ends of the remaining ones of said ribs to said second cover element adjacent the peripheral edge thereof at equally spaced points therearound.
 9. The umbrella as defined in claim 8, further comprising means supporting said ribs and said rib braces for limited pivotal movement around said shaft whereby said first and said second cover elements are supported for limited rotation relative to one another around the axis of said shaft. 